Events

Embark on an intergalactic voyage to see The Nostalgia Awakens: Retro Kenner Star Wars Action Figure Toys, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures’ exhibition featuring EVERY action figure toy made by Kenner Toys from 1978-1985 based on the original three Star Wars movies. When Star Wars hit the movie theaters in 1977, it instantly became … Continued

Toy production mirrors the innovations, triumphs, and conflicts of a swiftly changing world. Evolving over the last 200 years from small shops to enormous corporations, toy-making is now an 84-billion-dollar global industry. Competition for resources, political tensions and conflicts, skilled workers, and the impact of changing technology greatly influence how and where toys are made. … Continued

Take a peek at the history of optical toys from Peep Shows through ViewMaster. The first moving picture, shown in 1895, was the result of centuries of experimentation. Artists and scientists began to investigate visual perspective as early as the 15th century. Traveling showmen crossed the continents with optical devices that displayed images of faraway … Continued

Can you imagine playing with a dollhouse that is over 9 feet tall? The 9’ tall Coleman dollhouse is one of 32 dollhouses (and thousands of furnishings, accessories, and dollhouse dolls) featured in Let’s Play House, which examines the history of the dollhouse from 19th-century custom dollhouses, early manufactured dollhouses, through modern dollhouses that might … Continued

Whether you were born in 1945 or 1995, or any time in between, you’ll find the toys of your childhood in Iconic Toys. This is a lively hallway as multigenerational groups enjoy sharing their personal histories with each other through memories of their toys. Buy TicketsBuy Tickets

Have you ever wondered how miniatures are made? Your questions are answered In the Artist’s Studio, where you can watch videos of artists demonstrating their work, learn about special tools the artists use, and even try your hand at placing tiny hands on a miniature tall-case clock, using tweezers because your hands are too big! … Continued

Wind your way through a maze of miniature rooms and be a-mazed at what you find. Starting with a c. 1900 architect’s classroom, you’ll discover many miniature rooms, including an Art Deco Jewelry Store, a Tudor Bedroom, and even two bathrooms! Image Credit: Art Deco Jewelry Store, 2011, Kevin Mulvany and Susie Rogers, English (Room), … Continued

Museum co-founder Barbara Hall Marshall had a vision for a special room to display 31 of her specially selected masterpieces. Located in the center of the main miniature gallery, the Masterpiece Gallery was designed to look like a combination of a jewelry store and bank vault. Be sure to see these tiny gems when you … Continued

This miniature room by Narcissa Niblack Thorne is one of the first set of rooms, made before she embarked on sets two and three that are on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. The room was exhibited at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1934) and The Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco (1940). … Continued

The 17-1/2’ long work, created by Los Angeles-based artist Chris Toledo, is comprised of a central atrium and five galleries. The atrium features various classical Greek and Roman architectural elements, which Toledo derived from his observations of design and construction at a number of historic museums throughout the world. The five galleries are designed to … Continued

This gallery features changing exhibits showcasing a specific toy manufacturer. Currently, the exhibit focuses on The A. Schoenhut Company who first manufactured toy pianos, beginning in 1872, and later expanded their products to include The Humpty Dumpty Circus and the All Wood Perfection Doll, all of which are on view. In the early 20th century, … Continued

Name any type of full-size object and you are likely to find a miniature version in our galleries. The main miniature gallery has almost 4,000 individual fine-scale miniatures on display and an exhibit on the history of miniatures. In Summer 2023, come see a new addition: a rare first series c. 1933 Thorne Room, English … Continued